Youth drop-in centre planned

The youth drop-in centre would be open at least three evenings a week and would be run by Darlington Borough Council's youth service.

Under the scheme, which will be considered by the council's planning committee next week, an empty building in the north-west of Darlington would become a place for young people to meet and access a range of services.

The building, which used to be a children's day club, is at the end of a row of shops in Nickstream Lane.

The plans, which are recommended for approval, would see the ground floor of the building turned into a drop-in centre run by the youth service and other organisations.

It would provide young people, aged 13 to 19, with somewhere safe to meet and to get advice and support.

The centre would also provide training courses and the chance to join initiatives such the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

All the activities would be run in consultation with young people, who would also have the chance to say what events they would like to see provided.

If the plans are approved, the youth service would work with other council departments and outside agencies, including Street Scene, community safety wardens and the police, to develop initiatives and activities.

It would also be available for the wider community to use.

The building would also be used as a base for youth workers and other professionals working with young people.

Offices would be created so that staff, including those from Darlington Community Partnership, the primary care trust and community services, could have a base at the heart of the community.

Chris McEwan, the borough council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "We have listened to what young people want and, if the plans are approved, the building will be able to offer a drop-in service as well as providing a base for a variety of professionals who want to work more closely with the community."

The planning committee will consider the application next Tuesday.